Basics

Basics are the fundamental movements of Tae Kwon Do consisting of punching, kicking, and blocking techniques. Each technique is practiced by students taking a sequence of steps forward and performing punches, blocks, or kicks with each step. Basics are not mastered, they are learned and then forever improved because you can always move faster, and demonstrate more power and focus as you maintain balance in delivery. In fact, Speed, Power, Balance, Focus and control are indeed the five tenets of Tae Kwon Do.

 

Forms

Forms are a defined series of Tae Kwon Do blocks, kicks and punches and movements integrating the techniques practiced in Basics. Each belt-level has one or two Forms associated with it. Forms become more complicated as the students go up in ranks. Amazingly, if you remain true to the intent of the forms, your hands quicken, your balance gets better, and you react to your opponents attacks more swiftly during sparring. All techniques should be done with Speed, Power, Balance, Focus and Control. Those who put in everything they have during forms begin to realize their true motive, those who don't, may as well do thirty minutes of calisthenics.

We practice all forms leading to and including the forms designated for our belt-level. This builds stamina, but more importantly it is intended to promote a simple idea--you must always strive to do the forms better, regardless of the years that you have trained in Tae Kwon Do.

 

Sparring in our style of Tae Kwon Do is full-speed, focused on specific targets of the opponents body and are executed with Speed, Power, Balance, Focus and Control. There is No Offensive Contact. There are no pads. Strikes are stopped ½ inch from impact, which requires more skill and training than making contact. The benefits are: we train in a real life scenario, students can practice Tae Kwon Do techniques, learn, make mistakes, learn more and not be in fear of suffering a deadly injury.

During demonstrations, we typically use the same techniques used in sparring to break boards. It is never acceptable to fight with contact unless required for self-defense in an actual encounter.

Furthermore, men and women spar with one another in class. There are no weight or age categories for sparring during class, and White belts(beginners) do not participate in Free-Style sparring until promoted to Yellow belt.

 

Three-step is where the fundamentals of sparring are learned. Students practice these in pairs. One student stepping forward and throwing a punch with each step while the other student steps back and blocks each punch. Punches must be thrown with control, targeting above the lips of their partner without contact. The other student learns to step back and block on the wrist. As the name indicates, the attack stops after three punches, or one punch depending on the drill, at which time the student on defense executes one or more offensive techniques.

 

Warm Downs

Time to warm down with a series of kicks, punches, stretching, massage and deep breathing.

 

Friendship and Respect

Over the years, great friendships have developed as a result of involvement WTA. The bonding that occurs when you practice long and hard together can last a lifetime. Students are encouraged to respect, help and encourage one another in class and any other member of the World Tae Kwon Do Association.